5 Minutes with Natosha Rogers

In an early lap of the 2012 Olympic trials 10,000m, Natosha Rogers, a rising senior from Texas A&M, got tangled in a web of legs. Clipped from behind, she fell to the track. She rolled through a tightly packed crowd of 21 other elite runners, popped back up and, in a burst of adrenaline, reclaimed her spot within the top four. Despite her early misfortune, Rogers finished second overall, outkicking the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in the same event, Shalane Flanagan, and setting a new PR of 31:59. (But because Rogers didn’t have the London “A” standard of 31:45, she didn’t make the Olympic team.)

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Her second place at the trials came just three weeks after she won the 10k at the NCAA championships in 32:41. We caught up with Rogers and talked about her new attitude toward running, finishing second at the trials and running without a watch.

Running Times: Let’s start with the race you had at the Olympic Trials. What was going through your head as you outkicked Shalane Flanagan, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in the 10k?

Natosha Rogers: I am just in shock from the entire situation. I knew that I was capable of being there and being in that spot. I knew it all season long and I did whatever it took finish in second place. I wanted to go and try my hardest but I didn’t have a lot of experience (in the 10k). It was only my fourth 10k. Just being up there with Shalane was a great feeling.

RT: And you got tripped up as well but you got up and sprinted back to the same position before the fall. Did that take anything out of you?

NR: Actually, it fired me up more. In that very instant I saw all of my hard work flash before my eyes, and I was not going to let this one little thing ruin everything that I’ve worked for. So, out of instinct, I sprinted back up to my spot and tried to claim it.

RT: You were also the 2012 NCAA 10k Champion, how different was your preparation this year compared to previous years with the Olympic trials a few weeks after the NCAA Championships?

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NR: Well, the previous years I wasn’t really in the same place that I am now. I didn’t have the desire to be as good as I am now. I was focusing on a whole bunch of things rather than one goal and one dream. It definitely requires everything you have to be at this level. And so I just kind of had to get my head on straight after my first two years of college. I don’t have any regrets. I’ve lived my life how I’ve wanted to but now I’m focusing more what I need to get done.

RT: What changed for you?

NR: I just grew up. Everyone grows up at different times. I just want to give credit to every single coach I’ve ever had. Starting from high school at Dakota Ridge to Texas A&M, they’ve all played a huge role. So with them, myself, and my sister they’ve all played a factor in my life and I started believing in myself and believing that I can do it.

RT: How has the late track season affected your preparations for the fall?

NR: Well, last summer I didn’t start running until mid-August because I had a stress fracture from the previous track season. So, last summer I wasn’t running at all. I mean, I will get a later start than a lot of people who will be running in cross but at the same time running at the Trials gave me a whole bunch of motivation and inspiration and I think that is just as important.

RT: What is your peak mileage over the summer?

NR: Well, to be honest, I don’t run with a watch and I don’t know how long I go every day. It sounds weird but I just do whatever I feel like every single day. It’s just how I am as a person. I’ve found that not being in control of my time or limited by a certain mileage has proven to be a good thing for me.

RT: Is it the same format during the season?

NR: Yeah. Of course, I have a general idea. Like, my first two weeks I’ll start out with a lower amount of running and then build up to a peak and try to maintain that peak to the end of the season. But I’m not a big mileage buff. I think I have relatively low mileage compared to other 10k runners.

RT: Is there a standard workout or a favorite workout that you do during the year that gets you race ready?

NR: Well, I don’t have a set workout that I do every week. Coach (Wendel) McRaven always keeps it fresh and changes it up. One thing that we discovered that I like doing is him not telling me the whole workout and just saying what I need to do right before I do it. Like, “Do a 1,000 (meters)” and I’ll do 1,000 and then, “Ok, now do an 800 (meters).” I’ll just go with it during the workout without knowing beforehand. We like to change it up and keep it fresh.

RT: What are your goals for this upcoming year?

NR: I don’t like to have a written out goal because I take disappointment really hard. I don’t think it’s good for myself to do that. My only goal for myself is just to do the very best I can while still maintaining a balance and a healthy, happy life.

RT: So, it’s safe to say we’re going to see a new version of Natosha Rogers this upcoming year?

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